Deputy Administrator embraces new position

MEDICAL LAKE – New Deputy Administrator Katy Allen is set on building a better future for Medical Lake.

With over four decades of experience, Allen boasts a skill set that has grown along with the communities she has helped develop. She has a background as a city engineer, public works director, and also served as Liberty Lake's city administrator for nearly 10 years.

"I've been blessed to have had a fantastic career-I've worked for 45 years with three different cities," Allen said. "They are all different and Medical Lake is unique as well. Each city has an identity of its own and that is typically influenced by the vibrancy of the people in the community."

According to Allen, the mayor has a goal of building a healthy and wholesome community with plenty of recreational options to keep people busy and attract some tourism.

Community events like fishing derby's, races and community runs are some of the ideas Allen feels may be easy enough to apply while still making a significant positive impact on Medical Lake. Allen expressed she also feels that Medical Lake has a great foundation to move in this direction.

"Medical Lake is a diamond in the rough, it's a hidden gem, whatever you want to call it," Allen said. "It's got so many things going for it. It's got a fantastic school district, three lakes, community events, military support-the list goes on."

Allen said she also understands that when cities make certain moves, it influences change that not everyone in the community is receptive to. Growth has been a sensitive topic in Medical Lake and she understands not everyone embraces it.

"I know that growth is a concern for some people because growth means change," she said. "Some people assert that not all growth is good, so the question is what does that growth look like? How does Medical Lake define that growth so it can provide that future that the mayor and I think the council have."

According to the new deputy administrator, getting everyone to agree on a point of understanding is sometimes the most difficult part of the process but feels there is always a realistic work process to find agreeable solutions.

"I think pulling that vision together with the support of the council and describing a path forward and then executing and funding that plan is very possible," Allen said. "I get excited about building a better tomorrow, and that hones in on figuring out what's important for the community and then building on those priorities."

Allen also explained that the size of the city she works for doesn't influence her effort, because her passion is her continued motivation.

"I love New York City, and I love Brewster, Washington," Allen said. "But that's because each city has an individual identity, history, and culture that makes that community what it is."